It was a great joint Zonta and Soroptimist meeting this year as local members of the two organizations joined for their yearly meeting. Hosted by Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley, the highlighted speakers for the evening were Julie Mairs, President of Los Angeles Soroptimist Club and Dianne Curtis, local Zontian and Zonta International Vice-President.
The topics and presentations were awesome! The strength of the two organizations is evident as they strive to make a difference in the lives of women locally and worldwide. Both are non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) working with the United Nations to help eradicate violence against women throughout the world.
Julie Mairs is Chairperson of the upcoming Project Five-O LA. She and Zontian, Peggy Edwards, Zonta Area 3 Director, are working closely together to bring a policy summit to Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 12, 2008. The summit will increase awareness and bring to the forefront ways to improve our systems and resources.
Project Five-O is internatinal in scope with five member organizations: the International Federation of Business and Professional Women, the International Council of Women, the International Federation of University Women, Soroptimist International and, Zonta International.
Locally, Project Five-O Los Angeles is composed of four organizations — American Association of University Women, Business & Professional Women, Soroptimist International and Zonta International. Inspired by the Secretary General of the United Nations recent report on violence against women throughout the world, the Los Angeles organization is producing this policy summit on March 12, 2008. All Summit information is available at www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org .
Various representative groups working in the field of violence in our community have been invited to participate in the summit. Participants will participate in six workshops and a listening panel with the challenge to identify:
• What works to address violence against women and to assist those affected by this kind of crime in Los Angeles.
• The opportunities for improvement currently in place to prevent, detect, prosecute and apply consequences to violence against women.
• Assistance for the survivors of violence against women in the Los Angeles area.
Julie spoke about the escalation of violence against women based upon several factors: past violent incidents, type and severity of incidents, frequency of incidents and the woman’s and the abuser’s response to the violence. These types of behaviors are issues that will be considered in moving forward to eradicate violence against women.
Dianne Curtis, spoke about her duties and responsibilities of the position. Dianne has served at every level, of Zonta — local, Area, District and International levels. Zonta International (ZI) is headquartered in Chicago, IL. With over 1200 clubs and membership of 33,000 in 66 countries, each ZI Officer and Director is assigned as liaison to three or four districts, all comprised of many clubs, and Diane’s job is to be the voice for these Districts at the International level. Officers are elected or appointed to office for a biennium (two years). As Vice President, Dianne must devote 52 weeks of her time to the position during this period. Now that is commitment!
With this level of expertise of members from both organizations, when combined with the dedication and commitment to the issues such as eradicating violence against women, Zonta and Soroptimist will certainly have an impact and make a difference in the lives of those who are affected.
For information about Zonta, contact Phyllis Walker at 213-922-1084 or 661-251-1172.